The thing is Wideman is more of an offensive Dman, moving the puck well and plays on PP.

I'm really hoping this doesn't mean that Green is out long term.
-------------------------------------------
After thinking about this, I bet what this means is Poti is going on LTIR or at least may not be available for playoffs.

Needless to say Wideman is a HUGE upgrade over Poti. I hear people talking about his +/-. Don't let that be a concern, it is purely b/c he is on 1 of the worst teams in the NHL. He was a very very sold Dman for Boston when he was there.

Dennis Wideman is a defensive liability. He is a -26 on a team that has defensemen in the + category. Weak move. Probalby indicates Green has a concussion because Wideman is considered a puck moving defenseman. I've seen him for years but has never stuck out. Does anyone really have some insight on whether he plays physical or is just a puck mover. I would really be interested in your assessment cstanton1. Someone mentioned his +/- is so bad because he's on the Panthers, well, the next worst +/- is -19. Like I said, there are defensemen on the Panthers that are actually in the + zone. Wideman plays big minutes but -26?

Lyle - the more I think about it the more I like this move. Wideman is a great Dman. Understand when Wideman was traded he was traded for Nathan Horton who is a great offensive talent. We now snack him for a 3rd and a prospect. And he has a yr left at 3.5M. This is a fantastic pickup. Like I said, I just hope Green isn't out long term.

@ThePat

With you contact being on the "inside", shouldn't they also be able to find out if Green is truly day to day or is it more long term.

I'm sure with all of our wonderful beat writers, somebody will ask GMGM in the presser later how Green is doing.

Needless to say Wideman is a HUGE upgrade over Poti. I hear people talking about his +/-. Don't let that be a concern, it is purely b/c he is on 1 of the worst teams in the NHL. He was a very very sold Dman for Boston when he was there.

Posted by: pokerface1208 | February 28, 2011 11:54 AM | Report abuse

Would add that he has been a minus every year except 2, every team (incl AHL). Career -38.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=554458
Caps make deal for defenseman, land Wideman NHL.com The Washington Capitals have made another addition to their defense corps, picking up Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers for a third-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft and prospect Jake Hauswirth.

Wideman has 9 goals and 33 points in 61 games for the Panthers this season. He is a minus-26 this season, but was a plus-32 in 2008-09 with the Boston Bruins. He has one more season left on his contract that carries a $3,937,500 cap hit. He will make $4.5 million next in 2011-12.

The Capitals added defenseman Scott Hannan from Colorado earlier this season for Tomas Fleischmann, but Tom Poti has missed 42 games this season because of reoccurring lower-body injuries and Mike Green has only played once since Feb. 12 after taking a puck to the ear. He left that one game early after a check from Rangers forward Derek Stepan.

With Green out the Capitals have been relying on rookie John Carlson to quarterback the power play next to Alex Ovechkin on the points. Washington had the No. 1 power play in the NHL last season and No. 2 in 2008-09, but has slumped to 25th this season at 16.3 percent.

Washington now has seven defenseman with one-way contracts for 2011-12 with Hannan as an unrestricted free agent and Karl Alzner has a restricted free agent. Those seven players count for $17.8575 milion against the salary cap.

Hauswirth was signed as an undrafted free agent before the 2009-10 season. The 23-year-old Hauswirth has 10 goals and 14 points in 37 games for South Carolina of the ECHL this season.
This is Florida's second trade Monday. Earlier in the morning, the club traded veteran forward Radek Dvorak and a fifth-round pick to Atlanta for forwards Niclas Bergfors and Patrick Rismiller.

problem is he went right to Calgary for his grandmothers funeral on Saturday morning. So if he has a concussion they wont test him until he returns. So hard to even guess on that or get info concerning it.

Let's call it insurance bought with two boxes of donuts. Green has a head injury. It may clear up tomorrow or in a year (think Pothier), or never (think Lindros). Poti's groin is going to still take time to heal, if it heals this season. We've seen our power play without Green and we need an offensive defenseman. Carlson is not ready to assume that role full time. Given the Steckel news, I suspect, he's on the block for that second line centerman.

If Green truly had a concussion would the doctors have allowed him to fly? I understand that is one thing that exacerbated Crosby's concussion - he flew to Montreal after the games with the Steckel and Hedman hits. I don't think the doctors would have allowed that.

he's better than Corvo. But not a great dman. Just a capable one. I don't have a problem with this move. Jake Hauwswirth has been a real disappointment imo. He doesn't use his size well and that's why he's been stuck in the ECHL. McPhee can't do much with 3rd round picks so losing one isn't a big deal.

It all depends on WHO Wideman will be replacing. If he replaces Erskine, its a stupid trade. If he replaces Sarge or Sloan in the top 6, it makes more sense.

Anyone referencing plsu/minus needs to go back to sports school, especially in hockey unless you are going to imply Schultz was better than Keith last year...He was a + 32 in 08-09 on a great Bruins team...but he wasn't better than Chara...

Guys this is a great move. Wideman is a great Dman. Don't throw his +/- at me when you don't even watch or know anything about the player. That's as brilliant as somebody saying Schultz led all Dmen last yr in +/- so he must be nominated for a Norris.

Wideman plays in all situations and was a great Dman on Boston when he was there. He's in Florida! He plays against every teams top lines night in and night out. When Florida can't score to save their life, what do you think his +/- gonna be? Same thing when you throw 55 out there with 8, 19, 28 & 52.

The Bag of Donuts we gave up isn't concerning its the salary for this guy. Granted should help the PP and get OVI off the point, either someone is leaving the current team or we are done. Lets hope its 1st statement and not the latter.

our GM is an idiot. I was hoping that I am wrong, but this moves just made me speechless. I couldn't believe when I saw his +/- ranking

Posted by: beforeitstoolate |

Don't get too caught up in his +/-

He's an ok player. I didn't feel vomit rise to the back of my throat when i saw this deal the way I felt when we got Corvo.

Wideman is a guy who gets a lot of dump and chases in his end of the ice. He was more protected in the Boston lineup with Chara. But forwards love to dump and chase him and hammer him into the boards. That being said, he competes harder for the puck than do guys like Corvo or Poti.

A lot of people want to say the +/- is a worthless stat but hockey people always attached that the the primary stat line. It is a good indication of a player's ability to play at even strength. It is a stat that is used A LOT when looking at defensemen.

Wideman on NHL Network: "Wants to help on the PP. He said he talked to GMGM but he was very busy so the conversation was short. I'm good with no longer having to chase OV & Backstrom around anymore. GMGM said he wants him in the lineup tomorrow."

*It should also be noted that this move currently puts the Capitals $57k over the salary cap so they will be forced to make another move(trade, demotion, waivers, etc...) in order to make the proper adjustments.

Wideman plays in all situations and was a great Dman on Boston when he was there.
---------------

a great dman for Boston? no

a decent dman who was playing with a much better partner than he will have here.

Play Joe Corvo with Tim Gleason and he's a better player than he was here as well. Play Dennis Wideman with Chara and he is more protected than he'll be here.

Wideman was an inconsistent player with Boston. Far from a "Great Dman"

I'm not bagging on him. Just that his situation with Boston isn't the same as he'll have with the Caps. And Boston wasn't that happy with him longterm because he'd have a solid game and then he'd cough up the puck and be a liability. It has to do with his size more than anything else. Not many NHL dmen can play bigger than their size ala a Beauchemin.

Sure, give up Semin plus for the guy who can make this team into something that doesn't lose 6 zip to the Rangers at home late in the season.

If you can find that guy, trade for him twice.

I think that's GMGM's dilemma, you probably have to figure out what went wrong with this year and start fixing that before wondering about the Cup again ..but I doubt it's one person and probably not only the players.

I like how after one move a lot of dumping going on. Can't we at least wait until the trade deadline has passed to bash? I suspect unless GMGM manages to get the next Ray Bourque and Wayne Gretzky for a bag of pucks (insert your Tom Potu or Sarge joke here), most people here will not be happy.

I'll put it this way. I would much happier with this acquisition if we had a different look on defense than we currently do.

Wideman can be a good addition to any team that is already at least 4 deep with solid defensive dmen.

I know the Caps have played better defensively this year. But if you look at recent trending, their defense still needs work. Sarge is looking worse every game. Alzner's game has been going down the tubes. Carlson is inconsistent. Erskine is what he is. And Green is out. Hannan is steady but he's not a shutdown dman.

I agree. I really want Hannan on this team next year....I'm sure some other moves will be made. I'm just left kinda in the middle on this one. Hopefully the other moves will put us more in the direction we were hoping.

Hannan paired with Wideman would be a great D pairing. Hide 55 w/52 and then the kids.

NOW ou D is complete! LOL! The only critisism that could be made is the toughness. This obviously means #4 is the odd man out so now our tough Dman is Hannan. While I really like Hannan this isn't a role he would thrive in. On the other hand this will be a quick transition team as ALL of our D can move the puck and quick.

Flaws
* Doesn't play the body nearly enough (he'll fit in, right? :D), and struggles in defensive-zone coverage. Will cough up the puck at the wrong time. Lacks consistency.

Career Potential
* Offensive big-minute defenseman.
==================
I'd look at the glass as half full:
*They didn't have to give up what they did for Corvo last year
*He's very durable (76, 79 and 81 games last 3 seasons)
*He shoots the puck a lot, which when Green/Poti are out, is something our remaining D seem unwilling/unable to do.
*He's not Tyler Sloan. :)

none of those guys know anything. Last yr all the "analysts" were creamin their thighs when we acquired Belanger and Corvo.

The only folks who really know how to evaluate these trades sit on message boards just like this. I say that with no hint of arrogance. And I'm not referring to myself per se. But fans who follow hockey closely around the league are the best sources for trade evaluations.

On second thought not such a bad move as we need another point at the PP. Also, if it means I don't have to see Poti in a red sweater again, I like it. Now if we can just trade Shultz for a cardboard cutout of Scott Stevens my day will be made.

Maybe the team can ice two complete PP units now....alternating Green, Carlson and Wideman on the points so two are always out there. Then move Ovechkin up to the corners for morer cycle plays. Kinda sick of seeing Ovechkin bobble puck at blue line - slip and fall and chase a guy on a breakaway.

Flaws
* Doesn't play the body nearly enough (he'll fit in, right? :D), and struggles in defensive-zone coverage. Will cough up the puck at the wrong time. Lacks consistency.

------------

that is how Wideman plays some of the time. For sure.

And then other times he'll battle hard along the boards with a forward.

He's inconsistent. And I think its because his body type won't allow him to really consistently commit to a better defensive game. I don't consider him to be a pvssy though. He's a shade better than Corvo but definitely a guy who needs a strong defensive partner. Not just a positionally strong player either. He needs a partner who can be more of a wrecking ball on defense.

@ underpants, you got me at hello on the Poti extension -- I never got that one. Too many wimpy blueliners on this team already, and extending the king of wimpy blueliners with a glass grion. Yeah he took a shot in the face for the team, but so did Belanger, whom the Caps needed a lot more than Poti. That one is an albatross wrapped around gmgm's neck

Posted by: JIMALLCAPS2 | February 28, 2011 9:50 AM

@JIMALLCAPS2: Agree with you in one respect: Poti isn't much use to use being out with injury all the time. And in light of this the extension was not a good move. The again, hindsight is always 20/20.

Though I want with all my heart for the Caps to win the Cup, I can take it if we don't. I can even take it if we miss the playoffs. But I don't think I can take another Fire Sale.

Posted by: Rhino40

he'll never do another firesale. He has too much ego for that.
He'll run this team into the ground to save face. Which means he'll continue to be a buyer even in certain years that it doesn't make sense.

I don't think we need a firesale. But there's about 5 players we should move off our roster. That doesn't equate to a firesale but it does equate to making this team stronger in the years to come.

Coach "Bruce [Boudreau] was shuffling guys in and out," winger Mike Knuble said the other day. "It got a little awkward, even for pro hockey, guys used to be on the edge and things changing quickly. You've been here with the team and settled into your role, then all of sudden there are a bunch of bodies around. Guys were playing well but still [sitting] out, and that was frustrating."

GMGM making moves when moves not needed and standing pat when change is required.

Shultz was + 55 last year. That should tell people all they need to know about the +/- stat in hockey.

Posted by: capsfansince74

so the same fans who once pointed to sarge's stats as evidence of how good he was are now using that stat in a different way to support a different argument.

how disingenuous.

Posted by: cstanton1
------------------------------------------
Um I really wish you'd get your facts straight before you start throwin me under the bus. I have NEVER used +/- to say 55 was good. I think he's terrible. You just throw out critisisms aimlessly don't you?

As each year's trade deadline occurs and teams enter the final stretch of the season, knowing who else to root for (so as to further the objectives of one's favorite team, even when they're not playing) can be confusing.

Hence, years ago I used to send out a daily email blast throughout the season to my with my "Rooting Instructions" for fellow Caps fans--with team crests and everything. It was all in fun, and my criteria for whom to root for were thus:

1) Support Your Local Gunfighters: Always, always, ALWAYS root for the Caps to win. No exceptions.
2) The Enemy Of My Enemy...: Always root for whomever is playing against the Pengiuns. The only exception is in those rare situations where a Penguin victory would benefit the Caps' position in the standings.
3) Go West, Young Fan: If a game is between a Western Conference team and an Eastern Conference team other than the Caps, root for the Western team to win. If both are from the West, root for the one with fewer standings points unless the other team is a personal favorite.
4) Go, Canada!: If one of the teams playing is from Canada, root for them to win...unless that team is the Habs. Never root for the Habs to win unless the're playing against the Penguins or another team from our division. If both teams are from Canada, root for the one tha't not the Habs..beyond that, you're on your own when it comes to the Great White North.
5) Never Date Within The Division: If if the game involves the 'Canes, Lightning, Panthers, or Thrashers, root for their opponent (except where it conflicts with the other rules). If both teams are from the Southeast and neither is the Caps, root for the team that has fewer standings points.
6) A Rival And An Enemy Are Two Different Things/The Lesser Of Two Weevils: Also root for whomever is playing against the Rangers, Bruins, or Flyers--except where this conflicts with other rules. If they are playing one another, root for the team with fewer standings points.

So without further ado, Caps fans: I give you your rooting "instructions" for the Monday, February 28, 2011

CHI (72 pts). @ MIN (72 pts) : Four teams in the West have 72 points, with Minnesota and Chicago currently seeded 7 & 8 entering tonight's action. Should be a good scrap. Go WildDET (82) @ LAK (74) : Gotta go with the Kings on this one.

The Whiners have gone over the edge. McPhee basically got two decent, playoff-tested players for NOTHING and he's an idiot? You people are crazy.

Here's some analysis from the Hockey News on the Wideman trade: "As for Wideman to the Caps - smart move George McPhee. Mike Green's health or not, another like-minded defenseman won't hurt."

Yes, we need more...we need a strong 2nd line center who will go the crease and stay there. You can complain about that. But the moves McPhee made yesterday and today were good ones. So stop with the negative c--p!

Not bad for what it is. But I'm not excited about it. But we didn't give up anything, so worth a shot. As several have pointed out, we need a left D, not another righty. For D, I would have preferred Liles from Colo., even if it meant giving up somebody.
Does anybody else cringe at the mention that's out there that, while Kuznetsov is not available, Eakin might be? Great! Keep the Semins, and let the character guys go. Way to go, George.
And echoing others: I didn't know Wideman plays C. But then, do we really expect better out of 'stand-pat-afraid-to-break-up-this-mediocre-collection' GMGM??? The thing that bothers me most about the Wideman trade is that GM probably thinks he's pulled off a heist, and is done.

3:00 has come and gone, and it seems that McPhee doesn't have the b---- to pull the trigger on a real difference-making move. Big surprise, eh? I guess he is satisfied with the c--- we've been seeing for 3 months (BTW his comment in Vogel's blog that he "likes the way we're playing" was AFTER the Ranger fiasco). Isn't it crystal clear that he thinks much more of our talent than do the other GMs??? I'm tired of his self-serving over-valuation of the players he has hand-picked.

Did the lack of activity today help me make my decision on renewing? Oh, yeah. Raise your hand if you REALLY think this team has the makings of an elite team -- even if you count the so-called prospects. Who is still drinking the koolaid???

And, good grief, how deep up McPhee's a-- is Vogel's tongue??? Does MV have ANY credibility, or is he just a cheerleader?

Think this makes sense for the caps. Arnott will help Semin out in my opinion to open things up for him a bit. Aslo he will be that guy that can go to the net on the Semin line since we all know Semin wants no part of that. It will hurt losing Stecks being a solid PK man and faceoff guy but looking at the caps needs this makes the most sense for them. What has been the one thing the caps have lacked in pervious years, GRIT. This guy brings a winning attitude (had a GWG to win the stanley cup) as well as a size that isnt afraid to go and do the dirty work. NICE MOVE GMGM. I think this is the best deadline he has had in a while. Got a lot for giving up very little.

StevefromSacto "Arnott plus Wideman plus Sturm for, basically, David Steckel! And you Whiners still think McPhee is an idiot? Great moves."

_____________________________________

Great point. Everyone whines every year, no matter what GMGM does. I think he hit it right this year. Are Sturm and Arnott out of their "prime" maybe, but caps have plenty of scorers on the team. They dont need that, they need character guys who know how to get it done in the playoffs.. The goals will come they are down due to the new style. How many games have caps peppers goalies and got 1 goal. They bounces will come. They are more prepared for teh playoffs this year and adding these Vets will definately help ease some stress these yongers guys put on themselves.

Not that these moves won't help, but...
I keep hearing, "The Caps have plenty of scorers." REALLY. Where have they been the last 3 months? That's a heckuva slump. Not ALL of that can be attributed to learning the new style (and let's not even debate whether they should have tried the new style and whether D was the problem last year). Isn't a lot of what we are seeing the failure to adjust to what other teams are doing (Ovie's attempt to toe-drag every single rush being only one example). Other than AO, and maybe Semin when he cares, and Green if he ever gets healthy again, who are all these scorers? Nick? invisible ever since signing the contract, and now with a broken hand. Laich? Incredibly inconsistent. Knuble? Old and close to done? MoJo? maybe, in a year or two Who else??? I'm glad you all are so sure we're all of a sudden going to start scoring in the POs. But where is the logic in that argument? We say we are going to play a more defensive style so that we're ready for that when the playoffs come, and then we excuse a 3-month lack of O by saying the scoring will come in the playoffs. That makes no sense.

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.